Effect

In battle

Cut inflicts damage and has no secondary effect.

Outside of battle

Generations I to III

A Pokémon using Cut can remove a certain type of tree, which acts as an obstacle between the player and their destination. It can also be used to cut tall grass. In Pokémon Emerald, a Pokémon with Hyper Cutter can cut a larger area of tall grass around the user.

Generation IV onwards

Cut no longer removes tall grass. In Generation VI, the small trees from previous games are replaced with thorn-covered bushes (as described when checking said shrubbery).

Frogadier forms a white needle in one of its hands and uses it to strike the opponent. The slash leaves a white trail of energy afterwards. Sometimes, it forms the needle from its waist, sheathing and unsheathing it like a sword.

Ash-Greninja forms a white needle in one or both of its hands, sometimes forming it by pulling it out of one if its hands, with the other hand, as if it were unsheathing a sword and it cuts the opponent with one or both of the needles or Greninja forms two kunai shaped blades, with multiple variants of blue coloring that shine in some spots, in each of it's hands and then strikes the opponent once or multiple times with the blades, sometimes leaving a white trail behind the blades as they move.

Greninja forms a white needle in one of its hands and it punches the opponent with the white needle in its hand or it forms a white needle in one of its hands and uses is to strike the opponent or Greninja forms two kunai shaped blades, with multiple variants of blue coloring that shine in some spots, in each of its hands and then strikes the opponent once or multiple times with the blades, sometimes leaving a white trail behind the blades as they move.

The Japanese name of Cut, いあいぎり Iai Cut, refers to iaido, a Japanese martial art. Specifically, it refers to the technique of drawing a blade from its scabbard, cutting down the opponent, then re-sheathing the blade.